WCE futures pit trade as well as total futures and options pit trade combined, declined for the month of March 2002. However, it should be noted that March 2001 witnessed the highest monthly trade volume recorded in the Exchange's 115-year history. As well, March 2001 had 22 total trading days, while in comparison March 2002 saw only 20 regular days of trade. To date this trading year is witnessing more traditional trade levels in both futures and options pit trade volumes as well as in futures and options open interest levels.
Canola, flaxseed and feed wheat futures were the main factors behind the overall decline seen in total pit trade for the month of March. Total futures and options open interest levels as of March 31, 2002 were 76,917 contracts, 47.7% below year-ago levels.
Crop year-to-date total futures pit trade in 2001/02 was down 18.7% at 1,494,175 contracts compared to 1,838,692 contracts in the 2000/01crop year. Crop year-to-date futures and options pit trade combined in 2001/02 has been 1,535,596 contracts compared to the 1,889,142 contracts reached during the same period in the 2000/01crop year.
Crop year-to-date total options pit trade in 2001/02 has been 41,421 contracts, down from 50,450 contracts traded during the same period one year earlier. Within this total, canola options volume levels have virtually maintained the pace set one year ago.
